No vacancy in Selat Kelang seat, says Selangor Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selat Klang state seat will not be vacated, said Selangor state assembly Speaker Lau Weng San.

“The cessation of Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari’s membership in Bersatu was found to be a constructive expulsion, based on the Selangor constitution.

“I am not persuaded that there is sufficient evidence to prove a casual vacancy,” he said.

In a lengthy explanation, Lau stated that he had to exercise due diligence and acted quasi-inquisitorial to establish the fact to ascertain if a casual vacancy had occurred under the State Constitution.

“Bersatu’s constitution was amended and enforced on April 1, 2024, to include Clause 10, cessation and sacking.

“There is no documentary evidence to prove that the amendments to Bersatu’s constitution take legal effect retrospectively.

“The action of Abdul Rashid in declaring his support for Sungai Tua Assemblyman Amirudin Shari in a by-election campaign in Kuala Kubu Baru in May was not a ‘First Information’.

“It was an event that originated from his earlier position on March 6 before the proposed amendments were put into legal effect by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) dated April 1, 2024.

“The amendment to Bersatu’s constitution only binds the conduct of elected representatives of Bersatu after but not before April 1, 2024,” he said during the Selangor state legislative assembly on Thursday (July 11).

Abdul Rashid was heard thanking Lau.

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Lau also announced that the Selangor state legislative assembly had been adjourned sine die.

Hulu Kelang assemblyman and opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali slammed Lau for not allowing the decision to be discussed.

“This is not professional. It is shameful,” he said after the announcement for the adjournment of the Selangor state legislative assembly.

Mohamad Azmin later said during a press conference at the Bangunan SUK foyer with the opposition bloc that they were disappointed with the partisan decision.

“Lau revealed his decision at the end of the session and adjourned the state assembly, this is unprofessional.

“We will scrutinise the decision and refer to our legal team,” he said.

On March 6, Abdul Rashid shifted his allegiance to the unity government and announced that he was supporting Amirudin.

On June 21, Azmin sent a letter confirming that Abdul Rashid Asari had ceased to be a Bersatu member and requested the Selangor State Assembly Speaker to declare the seat vacant.